” they take a big trash bag and cut a head opening and the arm openings and make an instant rain coat and it would be warm too.”
But it makes you sweat. Sweat + cold = death. We used to just put them over our heads without holes like a ghost costume. You can see through the non-black ones.
But plastic is a killer in the woods. Plastic and cotton. Fleece is the best for staying warm.
We did an event recently when it was -6F outside (not windchill). We learned alot about keeping warm. The looser the socks and boots, the warmer the feet. A tight fit cuts down circulation and causes cold feet. If you have mutiple sock layers and your feet get cold, remove a sock layer. It’s the same with hands. Mittens are best because your fingers stay together and warm each other.
Good information, important to know.
So far I have worn my plastic lightly, so it has worked for me.
The real old time prospectors in the west wore wool slacks the year round, said they stayed warm in the winter and the wool absorbed the body’s sweat and served to keep them cooler.